Treadmill and an idler-wheel unit thereof

ABSTRACT

A treadmill includes abase unit, a running belt unit and an idler-wheel unit. The base unit includes a base seat and two rotating shafts that are rotatably connected to the base seat. The running belt unit is trained around the rotating shafts such that rotation of the rotating shafts drives the running belt unit to move relative to the base seat. The running belt unit has an inner surface. The idler-wheel unit includes a supporting member and an idler-wheel. The supporting member is mounted to the base seat of the base unit. The idler-wheel is connected to the supporting member and abuts rotatably against the inner surface of the running belt unit for maintaining a predetermined tension of the running belt unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Patent Application No. 108205627, filed on May 7, 2019.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a treadmill, and more particularly to a treadmill including an idler-wheel unit.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, running as a sport has gained significant popularity. Many people choose to use a treadmill since it allows them to work out indoor in any weather, as well as reducing personal exposure to outdoor air pollution.

A conventional treadmill includes a base and a running belt that is trained on the base. The running belt can be driven to move relative to the base so that a user can run thereon. However, due to its heavyweight, the running belt gradually becomes loose after long-term use, and starts to slip or lose its alignment, which can be dangerous for the user.

SUMMARY

Therefore, the object of the disclosure is to provide a treadmill and an idler-wheel unit thereof that can alleviate the drawback of the prior art.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a treadmill includes a base unit, a running belt unit and an idler-wheel unit.

The base unit includes a base seat and two rotating shafts that are spaced apart from each other, and that are rotatably connected to the base seat. The running belt unit is trained around the rotating shafts such that rotation of the rotating shafts drives the running belt unit to move relative to the base seat. The running belt unit has an inner surface. The idler-wheel unit includes a supporting member and an idler-wheel. The supporting member is mounted to the base seat of the base unit. The idler-wheel is connected to the supporting member and abuts rotatably against the inner surface of the running belt unit for maintaining a predetermined tension of the running belt unit.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, an idler-wheel unit is adapted to be mounted to a treadmill. The treadmill includes a base unit and a running belt unit trained around the base unit and having an inner surface. The idler-wheel unit includes a supporting member and an idler-wheel.

The supporting member is mounted to the base unit. The idler-wheel is connected to the supporting member and abuts rotatably against the inner surface of the running belt unit for maintaining a predetermined tension of the running belt unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a treadmill according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the first embodiment from an angle of view different from that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but from an angle of view different from that of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line I-I in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, illustrating a second embodiment of the treadmill according to the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a third embodiment of the treadmill according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of a treadmill according the disclosure includes abase unit 1, a transmission unit 2, a running belt unit 3 and two idler-wheel units 4.

The base unit 1 includes a base seat 11 and two rotating shafts 12.

The base seat 11 of the base unit 1 includes two side frames 111 spaced apart in a left-right direction. Each of the side frames 111 has front and rear ends 112, 113 opposite to each other in a front-rear direction that is perpendicular to the left-right direction. The rotating shafts 12 of the base unit 1 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. One of the rotating shafts 12 is rotatably connected between the front ends 112 of the side frames 111, and the other one thereof is rotatably connected between the rear ends 113 of the side frames 111.

It should be noted that configuration of the base unit 1 may vary in different embodiments of the disclosure, and since the configuration of the base unit 1 is not of interest of the present disclosure, it is not further described hereinafter.

The transmission unit 2 includes a motor 21 and a transmission belt 22. The motor 21 is mounted between the side frames 111 of the base unit 11. The transmission belt 22 is trained around the motor 21 and the one of the rotating shafts 12 that is connected between the front ends 112 of the side frames 111. The motor 21 drives movement of the transmission belt 22, and in turn drives rotation of the rotating shafts 12.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the running belt unit 3 includes two track sets 31 and a running belt 32.

The track sets 31 are spaced apart in the left-right direction. Each of the track sets 31 includes a track 311 and a guiding belt 312. For each of the track sets 31, the track 311 is trained around and driven movably by the rotating shafts 12 (see FIG. 1), and the guiding belt 312 is connected co-movably to the track 311 and has an inner surface 314. The running belt 32 surrounds and is connected to an outer surface 315 of the track 311 of each of the track sets 31 and an outer surface of the guiding belt 312 of each of the track sets 31, and includes a plurality of running belt strips 321 extending in the left-right direction, being transverse to the track sets 31, and adapted for a user to step thereon. In virtue of such configuration, rotation of the rotating shafts 12 drives the track sets 31 and the running belt 32 of the running belt unit 3 to move relative to the base seat 11.

In the present embodiment, the track sets 31 are toothed-belts. Configuration of the running belt 32 may vary in different embodiments of the disclosure, and since the configuration of running belt 32 is not of interest of the present disclosure, it is not further described hereinafter.

In this embodiment, each of the idler-wheel units 4 includes a supporting member 41, an arm member 42, an idler-wheel 43 and a resilient member 44. Since the idler-wheel units 4 are identical and are arranged symmetrically, only one of the idler-wheel units 4 is described below for the sake of brevity.

The supporting member 41 has a main portion 411 and a connecting portion 412. The main portion 411 has a lower end connected to a respective one of the side frames 111 of the base seat 11 of the base unit 1. The connecting portion 412 extends in the front-rear direction from an upper end of the main portion 411.

The arm member 42 has a fulcrum portion 421, a receiving portion 422 and an exerting portion 423. The fulcrum portion 421 is rotatably connected to the main portion 411 of the supporting member 41. The receiving and exerting portions 422, 423 extend from the fulcrum portion 421. Specifically, the receiving and exerting portions 422, 423 are respectively disposed at opposite sides of the fulcrum portion 421, and cooperate with the fulcrum portion 421 to form an inverted V-shaped structure. As such, the arm member 42 is pivotable relative to the supporting member 41.

The idler-wheel 43 includes a connecting rod 431 and a wheel body 432. The connecting rod 431 is rotatably and co-movably connected to an end of the exerting portion 423 of the arm member 42 which is distal from the fulcrum portion 421. The wheel body 432 is co-movably connected to the connecting rod 431, and has a wheel surface 433 that is untoothed and smooth, and for abutting rotatably against the inner surface 314 of the guiding belt 312 of the running belt unit 3.

The resilient member 44 includes a linking rod 441 and a spring 442 that is sleeved on the linking rod 441. The receiving portion 422 of the arm member 42 is pivotally connected to one end of the linking rod 441, and the connecting portion 412 of the supporting member 41 is connected to a part of the linking rod 441 that is spaced apart from the one end of the linking rod 441. In virtue of such connection among the resilient member 44, the arm member 42 and the support member 41, the resilient member 44 is able to bias the receiving portion 422 of the arm member 42 to pivot toward the connecting portion 412 of the supporting member 41 (see the arrow in FIG. 6), thereby causing the exerting portion 423 of the arm member 42 to abut the idler-wheel 43 against the inner surface 314 of the running belt unit 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, during operation of the treadmill, the transmission unit 2 drives the rotation of the rotating shafts 12, and in turn drives the running belt unit 3 to move relative to the base unit 1. In the meantime, the idler-wheel 43 of each of the idler-wheel units 4 abuts rotatable against the guiding belt 312 of the respective one of the track sets 31 of the running belt unit 3.

When the running belt unit 3 starts to become loose after long-term use, the resilient members 44 of the idler-wheel units 4, as mentioned above, help maintaining the tension of the running belt unit 3 at a desirable state by abutting respectively the idler-wheels 43 against the corresponding inner surfaces 314 of the track sets 31.

Referring to FIG. 7, a second embodiment of the treadmill according to the disclosure is similar to the first embodiment. The difference between the two embodiments resides in that each of the idler-wheel units 4 of the second embodiment includes an adjusting member 45 in place of the resilient member 44.

More specifically, for each of the idler-wheel units 4, the adjusting member 45 includes a bolt that extends threadedly through the connecting portion 412 of the supporting member 41 and the receiving portion 422 of the arm member 42, and a nut that is secured to the bolt. The adjusting member 45 is operable for adjusting a distance between the connecting portion 412 of the supporting member 41 and the receiving portion 422 of the arm member 42. When the distance decreases, the arm member 42 is urged to abut the idler-wheel 43 against the inner surface 314 of the guiding belt 312 of the respective track set 31 as illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 8, a third embodiment of the treadmill according to the disclosure is similar to the first embodiment. The difference between the two embodiments resides in the configuration of the idler-wheel units 4.

In the third embodiment, for each of the idler-wheel units 4, the arm member 42 and the resilient member 44 as illustrated in the first embodiment are omitted, the supporting member 41 is formed with an elongated through hole 414, and the idler-wheel 43 extends through and slidable along the elongated through hole 414.

Each of the idler-wheel units 4 further includes a regulating member 46 that is connected to the supporting member 41 and connected threadedly to the idler-wheel 43, and that is rotatable for controlling slide movement of the idler-wheel 43 along the elongated through hole 414 of the supporting member 41, thereby ensuring that the idler-wheel 43 remains abutted against the inner surface 314 of the guiding belt 312 of the respective track set 31.

In summary, the idler-wheel units 4 for the present disclosure is able to help maintaining the predetermined tension of the running belt unit 3, thereby avoiding injuries caused by a loosened running belt and providing the user with a smooth running experience.

In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects, and that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what are considered the exemplary embodiments, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A treadmill comprising: a base unit including a base seat and two rotating shafts that are spaced apart from each other, and that are rotatably connected to said base seat; a running belt unit trained around said rotating shafts such that rotation of said rotating shafts drives said running belt unit to move relative to said base seat, said running belt unit having an inner surface; and an idler-wheel unit including a supporting member that is mounted to said base seat of said base unit, and an idler-wheel that is connected to said supporting member and that abuts rotatably against said inner surface of said running belt unit for maintaining a predetermined tension of said running belt unit.
 2. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein said idler-wheel unit further includes an arm member that is pivotally connected to said supporting member, and said idler-wheel is rotatably and co-movably connected to said arm member.
 3. The treadmill as claimed in claim 2, wherein said idler-wheel unit further includes a resilient member that is connected between said supporting member and said arm member for biasing said idler-wheel to abut against said inner surface of said running belt unit via the pivot connection between said arm member and said support member.
 4. The treadmill as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said supporting member of said idler-wheel unit has a main portion connected to said base seat, and a connecting portion extending from said main portion and connected to said resilient member; said arm member of said idler-wheel unit has a fulcrum portion rotatably connected to said main portion of said supporting member, a receiving portion extending from said fulcrum portion and pivotally connected to said resilient member, and an exerting portion extending from said fulcrum portion; said idler-wheel is rotatably and co-movably connected to said arm member; and said receiving portion of said arm member is biased by said resilient member toward said connecting portion of said supporting member such that said exerting portion of said arm member is biased to abut said idler-wheel against said inner surface of said running belt unit.
 5. The treadmill as claimed in claim 4, wherein said receiving and exerting portions of said arm member are respectively disposed at opposite sides of said fulcrum portion of said arm member, and cooperate with said fulcrum portion to form an inverted V-shaped structure.
 6. The treadmill as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said idler-wheel unit further includes an adjusting member; said supporting member of said idler-wheel unit has a main portion connected to said base seat, and a connecting portion extending from said main portion and connected to said adjusting member; and said arm member of said idler-wheel unit has a fulcrum portion rotatably connected to said main portion of said supporting member, a receiving portion extending from said fulcrum portion and connected to said adjusting member, and an exerting portion extending from said fulcrum portion; said idler-wheel is rotatably and co-movably connected to said arm member; and said adjusting member is operable for adjusting a distance between said connecting portion of said supporting member and said receiving portion of said arm member via the pivot connection between said arm member and said support member such that said arm member is urged to abut said idler-wheel against said inner surface of said running belt unit.
 7. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said supporting member of said idler-wheel unit is formed with an elongated through hole; said idler-wheel of said idler-wheel unit extends through and slidable along said elongated through hole; and said idler-wheel unit further includes a regulating member connected to said supporting member and said idler-wheel, and being operable for controlling slide movement of said idler-wheel along said elongated through hole of said supporting member, thereby maintaining said idler-wheel abutting against said inner surface of said running belt unit.
 8. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said base seat of said base unit includes two spaced-apart side frames, said rotating shafts of said base unit being rotatably connected between said side frames; and said treadmill comprises two of said idler-wheel units, said supporting member of each of said idler-wheel units being connected to a respective one of said side frames.
 9. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein said running belt unit includes: a track set including a track that is trained around and driven movably by said rotating shafts, and a guiding belt that is connected co-movably to said track and that has said inner surface; and a running belt surrounding and connected to an outer surface of said track and an outer surface of said guiding belt.
 10. An idler-wheel unit adapted to be mounted to a treadmill, the treadmill including a base unit and a running belt unit trained around the base unit and having an inner surface, said idler-wheel unit comprising: a supporting member that is mounted to the base unit; and an idler-wheel that is connected to said supporting member and that abuts rotatably against the inner surface of the running belt unit for maintaining a predetermined tension of the running belt unit.
 11. The idler-wheel unit as claimed in claim 10, wherein said idler-wheel unit further comprises an arm member that is pivotally connected to said supporting member, and said idler-wheel is rotatably and co-movably connected to said arm member.
 12. The idler-wheel unit as claimed in claim 11, wherein said idler-wheel unit further comprises a resilient member that is connected between said supporting member and said arm member for biasing said idler-wheel to abut against the inner surface of the running belt unit via the pivot connection between said arm member and said support member.
 13. The idler-wheel unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said supporting member has a main portion connected to the base unit, and a connecting portion extending from said main portion and connected to said resilient member; said arm member has a fulcrum portion rotatably connected to said main portion of said supporting member, a receiving portion extending from said fulcrum portion and pivotally connected to said resilient member, and an exerting portion extending from said fulcrum portion; said idler-wheel is rotatably and co-movably connected to said arm member; and said receiving portion of said arm member is biased by said resilient member toward said connecting portion of said supporting member, such that said exerting portion of said arm member is biased to abut said idler-wheel against the inner surface of the running belt unit.
 14. The idler-wheel unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein said receiving and exerting portions of said arm member are respectively disposed at opposite sides of said fulcrum portion of said arm member, and cooperate with said fulcrum portion to form an inverted V-shaped structure.
 15. The idler-wheel unit as claimed in claim wherein: said idler-wheel unit further comprises an adjusting member; said supporting member has a main portion connected to the base unit, and a connecting portion extending from said main portion and connected to said adjusting member; and said arm member has a fulcrum portion rotatably connected to said main portion of said supporting member, a receiving portion extending from said fulcrum portion and connected to said adjusting member, and an exerting portion extending from said fulcrum portion; said idler-wheel is rotatably and co-movably connected to said arm member; and said adjusting member is operable for adjusting a distance between said connecting portion of said supporting member and said receiving portion of said arm member via the pivot connection between said arm member and said support member such that said arm member is urged to abut said idler-wheel against the inner surface of the running belt unit.
 16. The idler-wheel unit as claimed in claim 10, wherein: said supporting member is formed with an elongated through hole; said idler-wheel extends through and slidable along said elongated through hole; and said idler-wheel unit further comprises a regulating member connected to said supporting member and said idler-wheel, and being operable for controlling slide movement of said idler-wheel along said elongated through hole of said supporting member, thereby maintaining said idler-wheel abutting against the inner surface of the running belt unit. 